Tunneling: Groups of individuals, including East German citizens and Western supporters, dug elaborate tunnels under the Berlin Wall. One well-known tunnel, known as the "Tunnel 57," was dug by West German students and allowed dozens of East Germans to escape.
Hot air balloons: Some individuals used hot air balloons to float over the wall. In one notable incident, a group of East Germans constructed a hot air balloon and successfully escaped with it, gaining significant media attention.
Glider Flights: Others chose to glide over the Berlin Wall in homemade gliders. One instance involved a carpenter from East Germany who constructed a glider and successfully flew it over the wall to West Germany.
Hiding in Vehicles: Certain people attempted to hide in vehicles to cross the border. They concealed themselves in trunks, trucks, and even ambulances to sneak past the heavily fortified border checkpoints.
Swimming: Some people decided to swim across rivers and canals that marked the border. The Havel River, which ran along parts of the wall, was one of the waterways attempted by escapees.
Rope and Grappling Hooks: Others used rope, ladders, and grappling hooks to climb over the Berlin Wall. Sometimes, West German supporters outside the wall would assist them by holding the ropes from the other side.
Explosives: A few daring escape attempts involved using explosives to make holes in the wall. However, this was a risky approach, as triggering an explosion could lead to severe consequences if discovered.
Hiding in Compartments: Some people concealed themselves in compartments built within cars, trucks, or freight wagons to cross the border undetected.
Disguises: Wearing disguises, such as border guard uniforms or Western civilian attire, was used by certain escapees to blend in and deceive the border guards.
Trading Places: In some cases, people arranged for individuals in the West to trade places with them, swapping identities and documents to cross the border legally.
Bribing Guards: A few individuals attempted to bribe border guards to allow them to pass. However, this was a dangerous approach, as the guards could betray them or demand more money.